The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-11

nected with the change Of name of Con-
vention.
The invitation of citizens Of North Lew
isburg to hold Convention of 1887 in that
place was accepted, and the Secretary
was instructed to prepare program, sub
ject to approval of Executive Committee.
The Secretary and Treasurer were in
structed to close their books by May LIST,
each year, and the Trustees appointed
Rev. @. E. Nash and w. d. Sibley and
J. E. Vincent as Auditing Committee.
The foregoing lis synopsis Of all i'm
portant transactions by the Committee:
Remarks.
From all evidence attainable, we be-
lieve that, denominatonally, we have
held our own during the past year. We
are not able to report any new orRaniza-
lions, nor any unusual activity among
those already existing, with few excep-
tons. Several churches have resumed
regular services during the year, and
Sunday. schools which had been suspend.
ed have recognized. The large number
Of churches having no regular paetors, Is
still unpleasantly large. in the majority
of such instances, if there were DISPOSE
ton to cooperate, and willingness to
employ good men available, this condi-
ton would not prevail. Among too many
of our people there does not prevail that
true idea of individual and mutual obi.
cation to local and general denomina-
tional interests, which is one of the great
motives to success in other church Or
ganizations. When all protesting Uni
versalism can be educated to love the
Universalist church as the best church
God has given to the world, and when all
members learn to work with consecrated
earnestness for its extension, as the best
means for the salvation OF men from ig-
norance and sin, then will our Zion be-
come the power in the world it should be.
We do not wish to depreciate what has
been done, only to stimulate to greater
activity and wiser efforts, guided by the
maxim in union there is strength"
Owing to illness of Rev. FL. L. Garfield,
our State Superintendent, the canvas for
the Permanent Fund has not increased
the fund to that extent that we could
otherwise have expected; but there has
been some gain. Another obstacle has
been the lack of proper cooperation in
some instances, and the lack of proper ap-
probation of the subject in others. We
nevertheless believe, that if the fund had
not been increased one dollar the church
has been we'll paid for all expenses in
Cured. Br. Garfield has rendered i'm
portant services in various directions, in
reviving dormant churches and encour-
aging those that are weak, and another
year will show good fruitage.
The importance of special superin-
tendency was never more apparent, and
while not presuming to dictate, we urge
upon the Convention to in every way en-
courage the completion of the Permanent
Fund, so that the Superintendent may
not have his hands hampered, by the ne
cessity of raising funds for his support.
There are important places where his
services are specially needed to preserve
our interests, or to establish churches;
but he can do little for them until raising
money ceases to be the specially of his
work.
Praying that ministers and people may
be endowed with larger degree of zeal
in behalf OF the "faith once delivered to
saints" and the instrumentalities for its
spread, we respectfully submit the fore
going for your consideration.
| VIM J. LITTELL, President
| A. E. DANFoRTH, Vice President.
| j. w. HENLEY, Secretary.
JOHN RICHARDSON, Treasurer.
W. a. SLADE, TRUSTEES.
| E. f. PEMBER,